Writing Schedules

PulpFest is this week, and for the first time in 6 years, I won’t be there. This has made me very sad, because PulpFest is the one time all year when I can see so many of my friends that I can talk pulps with. I feel like they are my family. But I have had horrendous home repair costs and unexpected gallbladder surgery, all of which have made traveling impossible for me.

For those of you who are going, I will look forward to seeing your posts on your blogs and on Facebook. If you’d like me to post any reports or photos here for you, I’ll be glad to do it.

But, on the bright side, progress on the Daisy Bacon book is being made. Some of you might be rolling your eyes. I don’t blame you. I’ve been saying that for awhile.

I’ve been wondering what others do who have limited time to write. What do the rest of you do that have full time jobs? How do you manage writing?

For me, I have almost zero time from Monday through Friday to write. Then, from 7 to 4 every day, I have a full time job, and then when that’s done, I have a home and three animals to take care of. I need to eat every so often, but I have given up on cooking. I need to exercise once in a while, otherwise my back starts giving me problems. I need to walk my dogs. But then I need to wash dishes and, with three animals, I need to vacuum every day. I need to clean the cat box, and then pick up dog poop in the back. Twice a week I need to water the yards (we can only water twice a week now with water rationing.). By then it’s 8 at night. Or, on nights like tonight, it’s 10:30.

When I do get down to writing, which is usually very early in the mornings, about 5 a.m. or so, I write slowly. I always have. Maybe I’ll get a few paragraphs done before I start getting ready for the work day.

Do any of you get frustrated over how slowly it takes? Do you ever want to give up? Do you ever regret taking on your project?

I can say yes to all three. I have sacrificed almost my entire social life for the past four years to work on this project. I have cried many tears over how long this is taking. Sometimes I do regret taking it on.

But then, I realize it’s only because I have so little time. It has nothing to do with the project itself. I don’t regret the actual project one bit. When I’m reading something really interesting, it gets me motivated to start writing again. After I’ve finished a particularly hard chapter, I feel incredibly satisfied. It’s almost an adrenaline rush.

So I keep plugging along.

I’d like to hear what others do, especially when you have jobs and/or other obligations.

For those of you going to PulpFest, have a great time. Maybe I won’t be in Columbus, but instead I’ll be here: writing, reading. and hoping to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Someday.